Josh > Recent Status Updates

Kind of some lacking parts, such as the increasing weird sex stuff that gets crazier every book and the writing just felt a little bad in conversation between tazara and tleilax leader. Almost makes the tleilax leader seem like a complete idiot at least right now. Still it is interesting. I like the focus on love being an emotion that must be kept in check by Bene Gesssrit

Book is actually really interesting so far. I like the deeper look at the factions like bene tleilax. I just hope it doesn’t fall apart because I know the dune series kind of declines in quality according to many as it goes on.

“Restless and strained by their isolation, it was as if they walked together in a prison” (73)


What a remarkably tragic yet quiet and poignant novel so far. The parents of both Edith and William in particular feel like shadows. You expect William’s father to yell at his son in a dramatic scene over his college decisions, yet it is instead a quiet acquiescence, eternally familiar in his childhood.

“Oblomov is like a man who has just been watching a summer sunset and enjoying its crimson afterglow, unable to tear his eyes away from the sky and turn back to see the approaching night, thinking all the time of the return of light and warmth next day”

It seems Oblomovs friend Stolz is his polar opposite. Stolz is temperate, hard-working, and not particularly emotional. He lampoons Oblomov’s “Oblomovitis”: his ideal life of rest and relaxation with simple minded and virtuous people. Stolz, on the other hand, sees work as the meaning of his life. He also enjoys the parties and gossip and small talk of high society that Oblomov despises

He also must confront a string of guests. His friends and old coworkers from civil service greet him and invite him to outings. He refuses all of these, however, he does invite them to dinner at his place which they refuse. During their conversations, Oblomov often seems disinterested or even lies down while they are speaking. Surprising how popular he seems despite his reclusive nature.

First few chapters are a intriguing and hilarious start. Oblomov, a thirty-something year old man, spends much of his day in bed. One morning, he wakes up especially early at 8 and calls his old servant. The servant deals with Oblomovs antics, who finds ways to blame him for the sorry condition his room is in, despite not actually minding it. Then, misfortune strike: Oblomov will soon be kicked out of his apartment.

Bro saw this society and literally said “must be communism”. It’s 800,000 years in the future. He also goes on for it later for a page or two after seeing the other human like species that contrasts the small, childlike, and epicurean Eloi people. After seeing these new ape like people who live underground, he once again goes on a speech about capitalism. Also, why the fuck does Goodreads limit these notes?

Pretty interesting concept. I do like this idea of a society so far into the future it has seemed to devolve HG Wells was writing about concepts that were rather novel in his time. This is a short book and a very old book for science fiction, so my expectations have been adjusted. Perhaps the funniest part is his mentions of communism in this society 800,000 years in the future.

Taking power as archon during a politically divided time, Solon nonetheless refused to become a tyrant. Solon laid the groundwork for Athenian democracy, he removed harsh draconian laws, reformed the social classes, given even the lowest ranking thetes the right to be on a jury and speak in the assembly. Interestingly, he also established a law forbidding anyone to not choose a side during a civil conflict.

Theseus was interesting as the first fabled leader of Athens. Of course his famous ship is mentioned, as well as his slaying of the Minotaur. I did not know he captured Helen of Troy before Paris did, according to legend.

So far, this is an interesting look at Thomas More’s ideas for a utopian society. whether it is fully sincere, disingenuous, or, most likely, a mix of both, is not fully certain